Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Ford Motor Co. offers the most vehicles in America with top safety ratings, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The institute today released its "Top Safety Pick" awards list for 2009, which recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side and rear crashes, based on the institute's tests.

Ford had more winners than any other automaker -- 16 in all. Honda Motor Co. was second, with 13 winners. General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. tied with eight each.

In all, 72 vehicles made the list, double the number of winners a year ago.

Chrysler LLC, based in Auburn Hills, was the only major automaker that did not receive a single top safety pick. The institute said Chrysler could have picked up five awards "if the head restraints were better in the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, the Sebring convertible, and the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country."

The institute said the larger number of Top Safety Picks was largely a consequence of the widespread adoption of electronic stability control, which the government has required for vehicles by the 2012 model year. The feature senses when a driver is about to lose control and helps the vehicle stabilize and avoid skidding or rolling over.

The institute requires the feature to qualify as a top safety pick.

At Ford, officials and employees were celebrating the news of their top safety performance.

"We want to set ourselves apart from the other American companies," Steve Kozak, Ford's safety chief engineer, told the Free Press on Monday. "We're ready and able to compete head-to-head with the Japanese."

Last month, Ford also won accolades from Consumer Reports for the high quality of its vehicles, which the trusted magazine said are now on par with those being produced by Toyota and Honda Motor Co.

So even though Ford is losing money and is part of the Detroit Three contingent seeking $25 billion in aid from Congress, many workers at Ford report feeling good about the company's prospects.

"We're very proud of this," said Kozak, who oversees a team of 167 engineers around the world.

The team engineers a variety of safety technologies, such as Ford's smart Personal Safety System, which deploys air bags based on the weight of passengers and the severity of the crash, among other factors.

"We're doing our part to help Ford succeed," Kozak said. "We just need to get past the downturn in the economy, and we need to get past the perception that the public has about Ford Motor Co."

Ford's winning vehicles included models from all of Ford's brands, which includes Ford, Mercury, Lincoln and Volvo, as well as one Mazda vehicle, the Tribute, which is built on the same platform as the Ford Escape, which also made the list.

Ford's list of winners also includes the F-150 pickup, which is part of the nation's best-selling F-Series lineup.

In the Photo, the 2009 Ford F-150.

Honda's 13 winners included the Honda Fit with optional electronic-stability control -- the first microcar, which is smaller than a subcompact, to earn a top safety rating.

In response to Chrysler's poor performance -- which also follows a poor performance in Consumer Reports' quality ratings -- company spokesman Cole Quinnell told the Associated Press that Chrysler vehicles are equipped with a variety of safety features and the institute's results "are just one of the sources of information about a vehicle's crash performance."

Friday, November 21, 2008

The debate over aid to the Detroit-based automakers is awash with half-truths and misrepresentations that are endlessly repeated by everyone from members of Congress to journalists. Here are six myths about the companies and their vehicles, and the reality in each case.

Myth No. 1

Nobody buys their vehicles.

Reality

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC sold 8.5 million vehicles in the United States last year and millions more around the world. GM outsold Toyota by about 1.2 million vehicles in the United States last year and holds a U.S. lead over Toyota of about 560,000 so far this year. Globally, GM in 2007 remained the world's largest automaker, selling 9,369,524 vehicles worldwide -- about 3,000 more than Toyota.

Ford outsold Honda by about 850,000 and Nissan by more than 1.3 million vehicles in the United States last year.

Chrysler sold more vehicles here than Nissan and Hyundai combined in 2007 and so far this year.

Myth No. 2

They build unreliable junk.

Reality

The creaky, leaky vehicles of the 1980s and '90s are long gone. Consumer Reports recently found that "Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers." The independent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study scored Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Mercury, Pontiac and Lincoln brands' overall quality as high or higher than that of Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Scion, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Power rated the Chevrolet Malibu the highest-quality midsize sedan. Both the Malibu and Ford Fusion scored better than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Myth No. 3

They build gas-guzzlers.

Reality

All of the Detroit Three build midsize sedans the Environmental Protection Agency rates at 29-33 miles per gallon on the highway. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Malibu gets 33 m.p.g. on the highway, 2 m.p.g. better than the best Honda Accord. The most fuel-efficient Ford Focus has the same highway fuel economy ratings as the most efficient Toyota Corolla. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt has the same city fuel economy and better highway fuel economy than the most efficient non-hybrid Honda Civic. A recent study by Edmunds.com found that the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact is the least expensive car to buy and operate.

Myth No. 4

They already got a $25-billion bailout.

Reality

None of that money has been lent out and may not be for more than a year. In addition, it can, by law, be used only to invest in future vehicles and technology, so it has no effect on the shortage of operating cash the companies face because of the economic slowdown that's killing them now.

Myth No. 5

GM, Ford and Chrysler are idiots for investing in pickups and SUVs.

Reality

The domestic companies' lineup has been truck-heavy, but Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all spent billions of dollars on pickups and SUVs because trucks are a large and historically profitable part of the auto industry. The most fuel-efficient full-size pickups from GM, Ford and Chrysler all have higher EPA fuel economy ratings than Toyota and Nissan's full-size pickups.

Myth No. 6

They don't build hybrids.

Reality

The Detroit Three got into the hybrid business late, but Ford and GM each now offers more hybrid models than Honda or Nissan, with several more due to hit the road in early 2009.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

In the U.S., 52% of all paper and 45% of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans are recycled. But that's nothing compared with vehicles: More than 95% are recycled at the end of their lives*, making cars and trucks the most recycled consumer products in the country. "On average, 84% of a car's materials by weight can be recycled when it enters the vehicle-recycling infra-structure*," says Claudia Duranceau, senior research recycling engineer at Ford. "We've designed newer vehicles to be easier to take apart, so dismantlers can resell and recycle more parts and components themselves," Duranceau says. "Once the dismantler has removed valuable items, the vehicle hulks are shredded and the metal scrap is melted down and recycled back into vehicles." Ford is also part os the Vehicle Recycling Partnership, which works on new ways to increase recycling of vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner.

*Ward's Motor Vehicle Facts & Figures 2007

This Article was from the My Ford Fall 2008 Magazine by Claudia Duranceau, Senior Research Recycling Engineer

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The 2010 Ford Fusion has an all six-speed transmission lineup, one of the single biggest contributors to the midsize sedan’s unsurpassed fuel economy achievements against segment contenders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

With more gears, Fusion’s available 2.5-liter, 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter engines have a broader range from which to select the optimum mix of torque and horsepower for different driving situations, translating to better acceleration as well as better mileage for the customer.

Why Six-speeds?

The six-speed transmission provides up to a 10-percent fuel economy improvement on Fusion I-4 models and at least a 6-percent improvement on the V-6s, while helping deliver more horsepower and torque. An extra low gear offers up the improved acceleration versus four- and five-speed gearboxes and the additional high gear reduces engine speed while cruising, which saves fuel.

Less RPM, More MPG

A six-speed transmission shifts at lower rpm in each gear compared to a four- or fivespeed, resulting in improved fuel economy and inherently smoother shifting. Ford’s 6F35 also has six available final drive gear ratios and utilizes adaptive learning algorithms to make the transmission “customizable” to individual vehicles for a more dynamic driving experience and improved mpg.

Fun-to-Drive Factor

When paired with Fusion’s 3.0-liter models, the six-speed transmission is calibrated for SelectShift, which gives customers the option of a sporty, fun-to-shift manual experience. SelectShift offers the driver total control over gear selection, without any second-guessing from the transmission. The six-speed features engine speed matching for faster smoother downshifts and ensures safer shifting by using calculated maximum speeds to determine the lowest acceptable gear.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

So what about the models you know and love? By 2010, Ford will upgrade almost its entire lineup as part of an aggressive strategy to deliver the most exciting range of choices in American vehicles. For starters, several North American plants are being retooled to build more 4-cylinder engines. That's the engine that will end up in the 2010 Fusion, which is expected to beat competitors in fuel efficiency. The rock-solid sedan will also come in a hybrid model, making Ford the largest domestic producer of full hybrid vehicles. And the completely redesigned 2010 Taurus will offer an optional EcoBoost engine, giving it more power as well as better mileage. As for the 2010 Mustang, its body may be trimmed down a little for a more chiseled appearance, but it will be just as ferocious out on the open road, and still a pure-bred American classic. Ford a glimpse of the new model, visit the2010mustang.com.

2010 Ford Fusion

2010 Ford Taurus

2010 Ford Mustang

The above information was from the Fall 2008 My Ford Magazine. Images from automobilemag.com,edmunds.com

Monday, November 03, 2008

Preview the 2010 Ford lineup. Peek into the very near future at a lineup for a fast-changing world. Ever notice those small Ford vehicles in Europe and wondered why they're not available here in the states? Well, that's about to change. As part of a bold push to deliver smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, Ford is bringing six of its revered European models to North America in 2010. Just don't call them cute: Europe's narrow, twisting roads demand nimble handling and snappy performance, while its dense urban centers-not to mention fuel prices-require that such qualities come in smart packages. As you'll soon see, you'll feel just as confident dropping the kids off at practice and pulling up to the pump as you would winding through the Alps or parallel parking in Paris. Here's a preview of the first three to arrive.

The 2010 Ford Fiesta: Designed and developed in Europe and built in North America, the al-new 2010 Fiesta is the first major product of Ford's new global product development process. Its rakish lines reflect the Verve Concept that inspired it, the body shell's high-strength steel is safe and light, thus improving its power-to-weight ratio and efficiency; and its dynamic European handling characteristics will set new standards in refinement-and fun-for small cars.

The 2010 Ford Focus: The American Ford is selling so fast that Ford had to add a third shift to it Wayne, Mich. plant to keep up with demand. That trend will only continue with the global 2010 model, and ideal blend of the U.S. and European editions that will be built at the same plant. The Focus is a sleek 5-door commuter whose dramatic aerodynamics make it ultra-efficient. (The U.K.'s ECOnetic version boasts 65.6 mpg and was named the Green Car of the Year by the environmental website whatgreencar.com.) But this car's smart features go beyond efficiency. The keyless entry and ignition technology, for example, means you can open the door without fishing through your pockets-and it's impossible to lock yourself out.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect: From delivering goods to hauling gear, small business owners need the right tool for the right job. Enter the much celebrated Transit Connect from Ford Europe. Designed as a greener, more fuel-efficient alternative to full-size service vans, this unique vehicle has dual sliding doors, seating for up to five and a cavernous 143 cubic feet of cargo space. Thanks to its 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, it gets a thrifty fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on the highway. It drives like a car, works like a van-and is engineered to be as tough as a truck.

Stay tuned later in the week for more previews from the 2010 lineup, such as the Fusion, Mustang, and Taurus.

Roy O'Brien Ford has been family owned and operated since 1946. As a 2007 & 2008 #1 Ford Dealer in the United States for Highest Customer Satisfaction you can see why customer's from all over the state of Michigan come to Roy O'Brien Ford to purchase their new car or truck. Stay on the Right Track to Nine Mile & Mack.